While fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have certainly gotten used to seeing Chris Evans play Captain America over the past past several years, some might know about the alternate history where Chace Crawford could have suited up as the Star Spangled Man with a Plan. The Gossip Girl star has now opened up about why he wasn't allowed to screen test for Steve Rogers.
Known for his role as Nate Archibald on The CW's teen drama, Crawford currently stars in a very different kind of superhero franchise as The Deep on Amazon Prime's The Boys. Alongside a potential shortlist of Ryan Phillippe and John Krasinski, Disney was circling Crawford for 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger.
Speaking about his brush with Rogers, Crawford told Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen what might have been. When a fan asked about the star's reported Captain America audition tape, the 34-year-old explained, "I did have a screen test for that back in the day but they actually didn't let me do it because they realized I was on a show in New York for nine months of the year."
Ultimately, Crawford claims his commitment to Gossip Girl cost him the chance to play the Marvel hero. There are no details on how close Crawford got, but he seems to think he was a frontrunner for the part. He continued, "A buddy of mine told me he went in there and they had a suit made with my name on it, and a whole thing. After nine films you're thinking 'Oh man, I would've loved a shot at that.'"
After his role as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) in Fox's two Fantastic Four movies of the '00s, Evans landed the lucrative role of Steve Rogers. Although it seems he's done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Endgame, Anthony Mackie is picking up that vibranium shield to play the new Cap.